Mines must continue to fight COVID-19 with advanced techniques and latest PPE

Mines have been quick to respond to prevent the spread of COVID-19 yet despite their bests efforts infections are still taking place and a number of deaths have been reported since the start of the pandemic. Nico Pienaar, director of surface mining industry association ASPASA, says the industry’s early adoption of preventative measures and advanced tracing used on most mines has most likely prevented the spread tenfold and where outbreaks have occurred these measures have been largely successful in containing the spread.

Pienaar explains: “By its nature, the mining industry is geared towards safety and preparedness so the addition of certain levels of COVID-19 health and safety measures was far easier to implement than in less safety concerned environments. Yet still the industry has seen infections throughout the curve of the pandemic with a number of deaths occurring.”

MOST CASES REPORTED IN THE PLATINUM INDUSTRY

According to statistics from the Minerals Council of South Africa COVID-19 dashboard reports from 385 mines employing nearly halfa-million people shows that there are at least 17155 active cases with 184 deaths and 16500 recoveries. Impressively, the industry already screened 352 935 people and tested 52775 people by October 2020.

Of these cases most were reported from the platinum industry followed by gold with coal and smaller mining types reporting lesser numbers. Corresponding with these figures then North West Province was most affected followed by Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

MINING INDUSTRY MUST NOT LET DOWN ITS GUARD

“As infection rates continue to ebb and flow it is important that the mining industry does not let down its guard and continues to implement the latest required PPE and techniques to prevent person-to-person infection and protect all people within the industry. ASPASA continues to share statistics, news and information with its members and we strongly advise owners, operators and HSE officers to read and implement all directives from ASPASA and other credible sources,” Pienaar concludes.

“By its nature, the mining industry is geared towards safety and preparedness so the addition of certain levels of COVID-19 health and safety measures was far easier to implement than in less safety concerned environments”

Did you know?

The mining industry managed to screen 352 935 people and test 52775 people by October 2020

ASPASA www.aspasa.co.za